Phuket Holidays
Located on the western coast of Thailand, Phuket has become Thailands most visited Island, there is so much to see and do no matter what your age. Take an elephant trek, hire a longtail boat, go snorkling or just relax and have a Thai massage. By night there is a variety of restaurants, bars and entertainment to experience, but you cannot visit Phuket without seeing their magnificent show. If you are looking for a touch of class stay in the lagoona area where you will find some of the best hotels on the Island, surrounded by beach restaurants where you can pick your own fish and dine under the stars. But if you want to be nearer to the bustling bars and markets then Patong is the place to be, with its choice of entertainment not to be missed.

From Phuket you can visit the famous Phi Phi Island, otherwise known as ‘The Beach’ or for all you James Bond lovers, you can visit Phang Nga (James Bond Island) and explore the amazing caves in a sea canoe.

Weather
With only two seasons in the year southern Thailand has temperatures ranging between an average of 23°C and 33°C. The hottest months are between November to April and the rainy season is from May to October. There is always a breeze blowing and even in the wetter months you will still see lots of sunshine.By Day
Phuket is a tropical paradise with its beautiful white powder beaches lined with palm trees and washed by clear waters, it is very easy to relax and loose yourself. Being close to the islands of Phang nga & Phi Phi it is easy to explore these and other smaller islands by boat. Diving and Snorkelling is popular around these areas. You will find small stalls around the beaches selling local handcraft goods, fruit and clothing, you may even see the odd Elephant walking by! By Night
The nightlife can be as relaxed or lively as you like it to be. Sit by the shore, enjoy a cocktail of your choice and dine under the stars, or take a trip in to Patong where you can shop and dance till dawn. The magical Phuket Fantasea, with its vibrant colours and amazing Elephant show cannot be missed.Top Attractions
• A day out on a boat over to Phi Phi islands – See the markings of the famous Leonardo de Caprio film ‘The Beach’ – a beautiful setting on a sandy beach with crystal waters
• Visit Monkey Bay, see the wild monkeys being fed corn and bananas from the locals.
• The Phang Nga day trip - Famous for its spectacular scenery with limestone cliffs rising out of green waters. You can join the canoe tour through the amazing caves and lagoons, also see tiny secluded beaches awaiting discovery.
• James bond Island – take a trip by boat to the island made famous after its starring role alongside 007 in 1974's "The Man with the Golden Gun."
• A day at Patong Beach – The most popular and most developed beach in Phuket.
• Go snorkelling and diving around the exotic Ko Rok Nok.
• Try out some Thai cooking, this is very popular, classes are available in some of the hotels or in nearby cooking schools.
• A day at the gibbon rehabilitation centre to see the orphaned gibbons. Many gibbons have been abused and therefore need to be trained to be able to go and live in the wild, this may be heart wrenching but absolutely unforgettable.
• A day out at the Phuket butterfly Garden - see the colourful butterfly’s flying around and be amazed as you may get to see some lay their eggs
• A night out at the Simon Cabaret – a great family show, for sheer entertainment, this is a ladyboy show with glamorous performers, amazing costumes, and hi tech sounds.
Events
From sporting events to Carnivals, Phuket hosts many throughout the year. April is the busiest month for festivals as they celebrate the Thai New Year. (Songkran)
The Patong Carnival is held on November 1st, lots of visual entertainment and colorful costumes, this is to mark the official high season of Phuket.
Local Flavours
Traditional Thai food is fresh, tasty and spicy. Throughout southern Thailand fresh seafood is served in a unique southern Thai style, they like to use plenty of herbs, garlic, chilli, lemon and lime. You can eat out for very little money, the average main course is approx £3 - £5. the local beer is Singha and costs about 30 - 50 pence a bottle in most places.

Patong is known for its late night shops and markets, selling everything from tailor made suites for the men to handbags and shoes for the ladies. The local hand cratfs and woven silk make nice souvenirsHistory
The Kingdom of Thailand was known until 1939 as ‘Siam’, a mysterious land full of wonder and amazement founded in the 13th century. The modern duty name for the Siamese people is ‘Thai’ meaning ‘Free’. Thailand has a colourful history and its people ancestry can be traced back to southern China when the Mongol hordes conquered the Chinese and the people migrated south. Thailand has a strong Buddhist influence which can be seen amongst the many breathtaking temples. The teachings of Buddha go some way to experiencing the culture of these laid back, friendly people.

Phuket grew to prominence around the beginning of the 19th century, when the island attracted thousands of Chinese migrants from its tin resources. Many merchants made fortunes from tin and as the families grew in to wealth, they intermarried with the Thai population. Today Phuket retains some of its earlier charm and the Chinese haritage is preserved in the houses, temples and cuisine.Size & Location
Phuket lies on the Andaman Sea on the west coast of southern Thailand. Today it is referred to as the ‘Pearl of South’. Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and runs 48 km north to south and 21 km east to west, with an area of 513,115sqkm and a population of approx 46510